James Stanley Williams

James Stanley Williams, oil man, advertising executive and piano player, died at home in Fallbrook, Calif., Sunday, May 24, 2011. He was 76 years old.

He died of cancer, his family said.

Mr. Williams was born on December 21, 1934, in New York. He attended Columbia University where he pitched for the baseball team, graduating in 1956. He then joined the Marine Corp where he was honorably discharged as a Captain. Spending his early years in the advertising business on Madison Avenue, he moved to Denver, Colo. and founded Evergreen Resources with Terry Dreisewerd, his longtime partner. They took the company public and ran it for many years. Ultimately, Evergreen was sold to Pioneer Natural Resources in 2004.

Throughout his life, Mr. Williams entertained family and friends playing the piano. A gifted musician, he had an extensive repertoire of songs that he could play by ear.

He is survived by his wife Shirley; her two sons, Kenny and Paul; her daughter, Kelly; his son, Mitch Williams of Half Moon Bay, Calif .; his daughter, Erin Hurley of Moors Town, NJ; and numerous grandchildren.

Services will be held this Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the Fallbrook Presbyterian Church, 463 South Stage Coach, Fallbrook, Calif. Contributions are being accepted in lieu of flowers at

http://www.Nadiasgift.org a foundation that exists to support the fight against cancer.